Country

Djibouti

Djibouti has a population of 900,000 (2015), growing at 1.3%, with a density of 38 inhabitants per square kilometer.[1] The majority of the population is urban, with 77% of the total population living in urban areas in 2015.[2]

The population below the age of 30 in Djibouti made up 82.6% of the total population in 2015 with a fertility rate of 3.1 children per woman for the same year.[1]

Life expectancy reached 62.3 years in 2015 much below the Arab regional average of 70.6 years.[1] Similarly, the maternal mortality of 229 per 100,000 live births in 2015 is worse than the regional average of 156 per 100,000 live births.[3]

According to the most recent survey data that is publicly available, and which dates back to 2006, 26.9% of the population were estimated as multi-dimensionally poor, while an additional 16.0% lived near multidimensional poverty.[4] In 2015, 42% of the population were living in absolute poverty with 74% living below USD 3 per day, based on the most recent WFP figures.[5]

Djibouti’s adult literacy rate leveled at 49.5% in 2012[7], which is considered low compared to a regional average of 80.5% in 2015.[7] However, Djibouti has made significant strides in its enrollment rates. The primary gross enrollment rate doubled between 2000 and 2015, increasing from 31.1% in 2000 to 66.3% 2015, with an increase in the Gender Parity Index (GPI) from 0.7 to 0.9 for the same years. At the same time, the tertiary enrollment rate rose from 0.3% in 2000 to 5.0% in 2011, while the GPI decreased from 0.9 to 0.7 between 2000 and 2011.[3]

Djibouti is a lower-middle-income country [8] with an estimated GDP (Purchasing Power Parity, constant 2011 prices) of Int$ 2.7 billion in 2014.[3] GDP growth rate (constant 2005 prices), driven by large investment projects,[4] continued its rapid pace in 2015, with a steady increase from 3.5% in 2000 to 6.5% in 2015.[10] Given the country’s geostrategic position, the economy is mainly concentrated on transport, storage and communication with a gross value added share at 25.5% of GDP in 2014.[11] Djibouti registered consecutive cash deficits since 2009, reaching 0.4% of GDP in 2015, with grants constituting around 16% of the Government revenues.[12] In 2015, Djibouti had a gross public debt of 55.5% of GDP.[10]

Trade accounts for a significant part of the economy in Djibouti. The international trade-to-GDP ratio is high reaching 134 in 2007, with trade in services amounted to 37% of GDP in 2014. Djibouti recorded a current account deficit of 308 million US Dollar.[3]

The country’s main exports are wood charcoal and livestock, while the main imports consist of fuel, food and machinery. Since 995, Djibouti has become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The labor force participation rate in Djibouti increased from 48.9% in 2000 to 52.3% in 2015. Women labor force participation rate witnessed a higher increase, where it increased from 31.4% in 2000 to 36.5% in 2015, compared to an increase from 66.4% in 2000 to 68.1 % in 2015 for men.[3] Djibouti has the highest level of unemployment in the Arab region standing at 53.9% in 2015.[13]

Djibouti is dependent on the imports of petroleum products to meet its needs, in2013, total petroleum products imports accounted for 95,972 ton.[6]

This overview has been drafted by the ADP team based on most available data as of 30 September 2016.